Tour Summary

Join Boutique Tours & Travel luxury small group Gujarat Textile & Arts Tour with your embroidery needles, pencil and drawing pad; the designs, shapes, colours and so much more will leave you spellbound.

Gujarat is the western-most state of India, a part of it juts out into the Arabian Sea and for centuries its ports have engaged in trade with the rest of the world. The Arabs, Portuguese, Dutch, Mughals and British have al arrived on its shore sand left their mark, as have the parisis fleeing their native Iran. Here they established trading posts with the local rulers, dealing, among other things, in printed cotton and embroideries.

Gujarat is famous for textiles and its arts and crafts. Its rich architectural heritage includes superb Jarin, Hindu and Islamic structures (palaces and temples) as well as ‘stepwells’ and the richly decorated mansions (havelis) of the trading and manufacturing communities. It is one of the most important craft centres in the world, famous for its weaving embroidery and mirror work, appliqué, silver work, block making and block printing, leather work and metal embossing.

This wonderful small group tour takes us into one of the most remote areas of India, where embroidery and textiles are a way of life. As we travel across the state of Gujarat we meet local artisans, and learn & observe their techniques and participate in embroidery and block printing workshops from masters. We experience local traditions surrounding their textiles and crafts and ife in villages and the cities of Ahmadabad and Bhju. Share this amazing experience either as a solo traveller or with friends, we look forward to hearing from you.

Tour Highlights

• Travel to the most western state of India Gujarat, known as “Jewel of the Western India” with an unbelievable of 5000 years of history• Guided tour with professional textile guide of one of the worlds best textile museums in Ahmedabad• Enjoy a peaceful moment Mahatma Gandhi’s Ashram.• Mingle the silk weavers in Patan, known for Ikat weaving• Meet the pastoral communities of the Bharwads and Vadiara Rabaris• Interact with the locals of Bhuj, making Ajrakh block printing, Rabari embroidery and Ahir embroidery• Explore the city of Bhuj• Fantastic photography opportunities

Tour Inclusions

International & domestic airport arrival and departure private transfers for all guests

Country Information

Accommodation:

All our hotels are excellent 5 and 4/3 star boutique hotels. We highly recommend our hotels as they have excellent services and facilities. All rooms have modern facilities, private bathrooms with double or two twin beds.

Climate & Clothing:

The climate in India is warm to hot all year around. The rainy season is June till October. The general rule is to bring comfortable clothing including lightweight cottons. Comfortable walking shoes are essential as is a light waterproof jacket. We provide a detailed packing list to all our guests prior to departure.

Currency & Money Matters:

The currency is the Indian Rupee (INR), which is divided into 100 paise (singular paisa). Major currencies can be changed at banks, and authorised bureaux de changes. It is advisable to refuse torn notes, as no one will accept them apart from the National Bank. It is best to change money into small denominations. Major credit cards are widely accepted, particularly in tourist orientated establishments. ATM’s are not generally available.

Electricity:

The electrical current in India is 250 volts AC. 50Hz. A variety of power outlets are used in India, but most plugs have two or three round pins.

Insurance:

You must obtain Comprehensive Travel Insurance as a condition of travelling with Boutique Tours & Travel. We recommend that you purchase insurance at the time of Booking.

Language:

Hindi is the official language. French is also spoken but English is fast becoming the language of the younger generation.

Meals:

Our hotel offers a wonderful selection of dishes at their buffet breakfasts with a wide variety of both menu and venue for lunches and evening meals.

Medical Services & Facilities:

Our hotels have access to a doctor if required. They can also assist guests with purchasing of medicine. The international hospitals in India are very good and have western trained medical and surgical specialists. Dental care is also available.

Passports & Visas:

To enter India you require a passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry and with at least two blank pages. A visa is required for most guests and will be organised prior to departure.

Pre & Post Tour Accommodation:

Boutique Tours & Travel suggests that you may like to arrive a day before the start of your tour to allow time to relax and refresh. You are also very welcome to linger longer after the tour is completed. Boutique Tours & Travel has negotiated special overnight rates at many hotels for both pre and post tour accommodation. Please request when booking.

Time Zone:

Despite the size of the country, the standard time throughout India is GMT +5.30.

Tipping:

A tip from you to the guides and drivers is required.

Tour Group:

Our small group tours provide you with a good balance of group activity and personal discovery.

Transport:

Most of our road journeys between major cities are longer than 3 hours so we include modern Luxury sedan cars and minibuses for this tour. They are spacious and comfortable so we can all enjoy the journey.

Water & Beverages:

our hotels offer bottled water in your roo, and soft drinks and bottled water are provided when travelling in our transport. Most teas are available with most meals. Alcoholic beverages are not included in the cost of this tour except for ’welcome cocktails’ on the second evening.

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Wednesday 30th October 2019: Ahmedabad:
Welcome to Ahmedabad, the capital of Gujarat and one and only UNESCO world Heritage City of India! You will be met on arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
Later, there is an option to visit the Law Garden night markets, where you can peruse a wide array of the semi handicrafts, textiles and clothing.

Day 2: Thursday 31st October 2019: Ahmedabad: (B/D)
Today after breakfast we visit the superb Calico Museum of Textiles, inaugurated in 1949, and today housing one of the world’s finest collections of Indian antique and modern textiles. It is India's premier textile museum. Its outstanding collection ofIndian Fabrics exemplifies handicraft textiles spanning five centuries and attracts increasing numbers of Indians and international research scholars. Most significantly, it has become a major reference area for our surviving handicraftsmen and also for the India machine-textile industry. We visit Gandhi Ashram, also known as Sabarmati Ashram. It is situated along the bank of the Sabarmati River, about 5 miles from the centre of the city. Gandhi lived here for 12 years. It was from here that he undertook the salt march, a 241-mile, 24 day march to the sea to protest the British tax on Indian salt. It is a truly inspirational centre. This evening before dinner, we visit Vechaar Utensil Museum, a place that savours the past life of kitchens in Gujarat. This evening enjoy a traditional Gujarati Dinner with local dances and music performance.

Day 3: Friday 1st November 2019: Ahmedabad: (B)
Morning walk to the old city Ahmedabad for that Ahmedabad is known for the rich architect Heritage! Old Temples, Mosques, havelies, old wooden houses and walk through old Market. Than after drive to the area where we can see the artisans of Mata ni Pachhedi, a unique art done by the Waghari communities with natural dyes and wooden blocks and brush. This afternoon, we visit Shreyas Folk Art Museum. It is an educational museum exhibiting folk arts and crafts of Gujarat. As the name suggests, the exhibits at the museum include art, craft, textile and clothing, coins, weapons, toys, costumes, masks, puppets and musical instruments. If you enjoy architecture, then you are in for a visual treat in this city, The Sanskar Kendra was built by the renowned architect Le Corbusier himself in 1954 as a cultural centre of Ahmedabad. Within it is a famous Kite Exhibition.

Day 4: Saturday 2nd November 2019: Ahmedabad: (B)
After breakfast we drive to the amazing Adalaj Step-Well that is set in the quaint village of Adalaj. This step-well is a spectacular example of Indo-Islamic design and architecture and is one of the finest in Gujarat. It was built in 1499 by queen Rudabai, wife of a local ruler; it was to store water and provide a pleasant place for travellers as well as meeting place for locals. After that drive to a local village to see how wooden blocks are being made by Gujjar community. As Gujarat is popular for block printings, the Gujjar artisans of this village makes wooden blocks. Than after, we continue our drive to a local sari weaving factory. This is also one of the old style of weaving. Once there were so many artisans of this style, but only few left now ! Than after we return to Ahmedabad.

Day 5: Sunday 3rd November 2019: Ahmedabad - Patan - Modhera - LRK: (B/L/D)
This morning we drive to Patan, home of the famous patola silk saris. Patan is a beautiful old town with carved wooden house and Jain temples, home of the famous patola silk Saris, one of the richest silk textiles in the world, woven using the rare double ikat technique. there is a wonderful small musuem dispaying photos and textiles form numerous contries. Unfortunatly there is now only one family in the area that continues the double ikat weaving. Here, if you wish, you are able to particiapte in a paper cutting class with a master. We then drive to Modhera and visit The Sun Temple, it is one of the finest examples of Indian architecture of its period. Built in 1026 A.D. The temple is dedicated to the Sun-God, Surya, and stands high on a plinth overlooking a deep stone-steeped tank. Every inch of the edifice, both inside and outside is magnificently carved with Gods and Goddesses, birds, beasts and flowers. The Sun Temple of Modhera was built by King Bhimdev I (1026-27) and bears some resemblance to the later and far better known, Sun Temple of Konark in the state of Orissa, which it predates this by some 200 years. Like that temple, it was designed so that the dawn sun shone on the image of Surya, the Sun God, at the time of the equinoxes. As with the temple of Somnath, this fine temple was ruined by Mohamed of Ghazni. We continue our drive Dasada and visit neighbouring villages and the homes of local embroideries and weavers. We continue driving to the LITTLE RANN OF KUTCH.

Day 7: Tuesday 5th November 2019: LITTLE RANN OF KUTCH – Bhuj: (B)
Later this morning we drive to Bhuj – Kutch. On our way we visit an Ahir family who makes Ahir embroidery. We continue drive to Bhuj which is the capital of Kutch ( KACHCHH ) District- the largest district of India! Which is also known for its rich culture of Textiles and Handicrafts. I am sure that you too will find this area another highlight of our journey.

Day 8: Wednesday 6th November 2019: Bhuj: (B)
After breakfast we drive to, Ajrakhpur which is famous for its Ajrakh – Block Printed cotton cloth with natural dies and used traditionally by local herdsmen. Its geometrical and nonfigurative motifs often mirror those appearing in Islamic - influenced Indian architecture. Here we will participate in a block print workshop to test your skills and learn how to make natural- vegetable dyes and get indigo on your fingers! This afternoon we visit to the Rabari weavers village and experience the weaving on pit looms and different types and styles of weaving .

DAY 9: Thursday 7th November 2019: Bhuj – Hodka: (B/L/D)
After breakfast checkout and drive to the most colourful area, the Banni Region. Amidst the Desert land of infinite dimensions, are suspended, quaint little villages. These are the last villages on the India-Pakistan border. Here you will meet master craft people' sharing their traditional art, producing master pieces every day. Their ornaments, clothes, utensils, everything they use - will make you feel as if you have stepped into lifestyle museum leaving you spellbound. The grasslands of Banni are scattered with villages of pastoral groups. As the women of these groups do embroidery for their personal use and a supplementary income, this is one of the highest concentration areas of craftswomen in the world. Banni Embroidery of Kutch. This needle work derived its name from the semi-desert areas called Banni in the Kutch district. It is a long tract of 2,144 Sq. Km. where 44 villages form hamlets (Vandhs) People in this area are engaged in tertiary occupations like embroidery, leather work, dairy and other cottage industries. Banni embroidery is locally known as "Kutch Bharat" Khambira, Kharek, Kodi, Kacho Bharat Fako, Bharat etc are main stitches used in this area. The work is known for minute designs gorgeous colours embroidered articles are closely associated with their day to day needs. The grasslands of Banni are scattered with villages of pastoral groups. As the women of these groups do embroidery for their personal use and a supplementary income. We also visit the unique artisans of – Rogan, copper bell, lacquer work and Soof embroidery.

Day 10: Friday 8th November 2019: Hodka: (B/L/D)
Following breakfast we visit the Hodka village which is famous for embroidery and quilts. We continue to visit more villages to see all different types of art and crafts of this colorful region. Back to hotel and enjoy the local cuisine and music.

Day 11: Saturday 9th November 2019: Hodka – Bhuj: (B)
After breakfast, checkout and we drive back to the Bhuj where we will be visiting the Palaces of Kutch state, the oldest museum of Gujarat – Kachchh Museum. We meet a Master 'bandhini' tie-dye artisan and discover the intricisy of the tie. We visit the great Textile collector Mr. Wazir and he discusses his amazing collection of textiles from all over India and neighbouring countries from the past 40 years. Later this evening, we walk through the local market.

Day 12: Sunday 10th November 2019: Bhuj: (B/D)
Today we drive to south Kutch to explore Batik wax prints, Mashru weaving, wooden boat buildings and the Beach of Mandvi. Drive back to Bhuj. Farewell dinner.

Day 13: Monday 11th November 2019: Depart Bhuj: (B)
Our small group tour concludes after this tour. For most guests today it is time to say farewell to acquaintances, new-found friends and India. Depending on your departure itinerary, you may have time for some last-minute shopping. We are able to organise our private guide to accompany you if you would like. Our tour director can assist as required.
Either catch morning flight to Mumbai or chose a chance to last minute shopping and catch afternoon flight to Mumbai .
If you wish to depart via Mumbai or Delhi, please contact Boutique Tours & Travel for further travel arrangements.
(The cost of the flights to / from Mumbai or Delhi are not included in the cost of the tour)

Tour Hotels

If you have Salary Packaging at your workplace, you may be entitled to claim for accommodation and or meals. Contact us to discuss this further.

Boutique Tours & Travel offers comprehensive travel packages with just about everything on land included in one price. Accommodation, most meals, transfers, baggage handling, all major sightseeing and numerous cultural events are also included.

If you have Salary Packaging at your workplace, you may be entitled to claim for accommodation and or meals. Contact us to discuss this further.

For further assistance regarding this tour contact us.

On receipt of full payment you will receive an exclusive Tour Booklet that includes a detailed Itinerary and travel information.

Exchange Rates:

All tour prices are current at the time of publication. To reflect significant fluctuations in exchange rates or the imposition of new government taxes that impact on the cost of providing its services,
Boutique Tours & Travel reserves the right to adjust prices as may be necessary at any time. Accordingly, Boutique Tours & Travel in receiving any payments, does not undertake that the price payable will thereafter remain unchanged.